If you’re looking for a Long Good Friday to balance all that chocolate then head to Folkstone on the March 25 for a day out across the lanes of Kent and East Sussex.
For its second year The Good Friday Sportive organisers, iCycle Events, have revamped the original route to offer a wider variety of rides for cyclists of all abilities. The choice of routes comes in three flavours, the 38mile (61km) Mini, the Midi at 75miles (121km) and the 100mile (161km) Maxi. Climbing adds up to 455m, 770m and 1,014m respectively.
All routes start from Folkestone Rugby Club on the edge of the Kent Downs, and follow fully signed routes out into the countryside. The terrain is described as ‘undulating’ but they have thrown in some testing climbs and technical descents. The 20mile run into the finish at Hythe offers some ‘head down TT style riding!’ according to the organisers, but bear in mind it’s along the Kent marshland coast – it’s very flat and very windy.
Costs are modest by most standards at £25 for the Mini and £29 for the Midi and Maxi. For that you get an extensive package of support and goodies on the day including support from a team of mechanics, medical cover, medics, motorcycle marshals and even a broom wagon. Out on the road you can expect ‘well stocked’ feed stations located in village halls (read ‘coffee and cake.) At the finish you’ll get a medal, a complimentary massage and a hot meal – Bargain.
You can get more detail on The Good Friday Sportive, check out the routes and download GPX files at icycleevents.co.uk and book online at endurancecui.active.com
